Stock-fitting machine



Nov. 15, 1927.

H. A. RISING STOCK FITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1922 :5 Sheets-Sheet Nov. 15, 1927. 1,549,253

H. A. RlSlNG v s'rocx FITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 1,

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Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY A. RISING, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MA- CHINERY CORPORATION, JERSEY.

PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW STOCK-FITTING MACHINE.

Application filed October 31, 1922, Serial No. 598,203, and in Canada October 10, 1922.

This invention relates to stock-fitting machines, and is herein illustrated as embodied in a sole-rounding machine of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,048,511, granted Dec. 81, 1912, on applica tion of W. G. Eaton.

The efficient operation of sole rounding machines of the type disclosed in said LettersPatent depends to avery considerable extent on the firmness with which all parts of the work are held during the operation of the rounding knife or other tool. It has heretofore been the practice to clamp the work by connections directly operated by a treadle, the pressure necessary to clamp the work with sufficient firmness being attained partly by the strength of the operator and partly by forming the treadle with a long operating arm moved by the operators foot through a considerable arc. The increasing employment of women in such stock fitting operations renders it less feasible than formerly to rely on the strength of the operator; and whether men or women are employed it is desirable to secure firm clamping of the work, if possible with less exertion on the part of the operator and preferably in a manner whichwill increase the speed of operation by decreasing the arc of movement of the treadle.

In view of the foregoing considerations,

I this invention has for an object the provision, in a machine of the class described, of improved means for holding shoe parts upon which the machine is operating.

Accordingly, an important feature of the.

invention consists in the provision in a machine of the class described of improved operating connections between work-holding means and a treadle (01' other controller), the illustrated connections being constructed and arranged to operate in a novel manner first through a relatively long lever arm, rapidly to bring the holding means into engagement with the work, and then .to- 0p-- erate through a shorter lever arm to apply very heavy pressure to the work. In the illustrated embodiment of the-invention, the above-described connections comprise a pair of pivotally-connected' members which are rocked as a unit to provide the longer lever arm, and one of which is rocked relatively to the other to provide the shorter lever arm, thus in effect changing the fulcrum point of the connections. 7 i

A further difficulty in holding the Work with suflicient firmness is met in clamping articles which are not of uniform thickness or compressibility as for example pieced soles made by gluing together fore parts of firm high-grade Stock and heel parts of cheaper and more compressible stock. Allowing the sole-engaging clamp plate. to

tilt through an equalizer, as in previous machines, meets this difficulty in part, but is not altogether effective if there is a substantial variation in thickness or compressibility immediately adjacent one end of the sole, as at the heel end of one of these pieced such as the heel end of a pieced sole, from buckling or crowding ahead of the knife. Thls presser foot holds the stock firmly down against a co-operating supporting surface, and may conveniently be provided with means for adjusting itsposition for soles of different thickness, and. also if desired with means for preventing it from turning relatively to the knife.

While the invention has been described withparticular reference to machines for performing sole rounding operations, it is to be appreciated that, in various aspects,

the invention is not limited to embodiment in machines of that type but may be used in analogous organizations'or for performing similar shoemaking operations.

' Other features of the invention including various novel combinations and constructions will be apparent from the following description of one form of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawlngs, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a sole round ing machine improved as described;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of part of the machine showing the sole clamping plates and the rounding mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section showing a sole clamped between a pattern and the above-described novel clamping device;

Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a top plan View and a view partly in front elevation and partly in section showing the novel clamping plates;

Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view showing the rounding of a clamped sole by the rounding knife;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing the rounding knife and its associated presser foot; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are, respectively, a side elevation partly in section and a top plan view partly in section illustrating the improved treadle mechanism.

The sole rounding machine illustrated in the drawings comprises generally a base 20 from which rises a supporting arm 22, a support 24 carried by the base and on which is mounted in the usual way, a wooden pattern member 26, rounding means 28 operated by mechanism indicated generally at 30, and a sole clamping member which is shown generally at 32 and which will hereinafter be further described. Except as further described herein these parts may be, and are illustrated as being, of the same construction as the corresponding parts fully described in the aforementioned Letters Patent No. 1,048,511, granted upon application of William G. Eaton.

According to one feature of the invention, the sole which is to be rounded is clamped against the'pattern 26 by a pair of clamp members or plates 34 and 36 which are connected by a flexible alining member or spring 38 in such a manner that they are normally maintained in alinement with one another but are permitted separate vertical movement. As is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the spring 38 is securely riveted to clamp members 34 and 36 at its opposite ends, and one or both of the clamp members is cut away as shown at 40 to allow the described separate vertical movement to take place. Such separate vertical movement is desirable firmly to clamp soles of uneven thickness, but is primarily useful in clamping pieced soles shown in Fig. 3. A sole of this charactercomprises a forward portion 42 of relatively high grade stock adhesively secured to a heel portion 44 of cheaper stock. The portions 42 and 44 may be of substantially equal thickness, but the cheaper stock in the heel end of the sole is more compressible than the firmer and higher grade material in the forward part of the sole. If a solid clamp member is used in place of the separately-movable members 34 and 36, since the forward portion 42 of the sole, extends past the center line of the clamp member and therefore prevents the clamp member from tilting, the more highly compressible portion 44 of the sole cannot be gripped as firmly as is desirable. On the other hand, with the improved construction shown in the drawings member 36 is permitted in such a case to move vertically further than member 34 so that both ends of the sole are very firmly gripped. Members 34 and 36 are provided with sockets 46 to engage the usual pins carried by supports 48, the supports being arranged for movement longitudinally of the sole in the usual manner in a dovetailed groove in an equalizer 50, and clamped in adjusted position by clamp screws 52. The equalizer 50 is connected by a pivot 54 to a plunger 56 which is vertically movable in the forward part of arm 22. During the clamping of a sole equalizer 50 free to rock about the pivotal connection 54, and the members 34 and 36 have a slight play with respect to the pins carried by supports 48 to permit the small tilting necessitated by their relative vertical movement. As clearly shown in the drawings the device comprising the. connected clamp plates 34 and 36 is made so that it is reversible for use in connection with right or left soles.

As fully described in the aforementioned Letters Patent, plunger 56 is adjustably connectedto a lever 58 which is rocked in one direction by a rod 60 and in the opposite direction by a spring 62. According to the present invention rod 60 operated through improved connections shown in Figs. 8 and 9 by means of a controller or operating member such as a treadle 64 (Fig.1).

Treadle 64 is secured to a short rock shaft 66 mounted in bearings in arms 68 rising from a plate 70 secured to the base 20 by means of suitable tap screws 72 or otherwise. Loosely mounted on the shaft 66 is a lever device 74 which is formed at one end with arms 76 pivotally mounted on shaft 66, and at the other end with a pair of arms 78. A bell crank lever 80 is pivotally mounted at 82 between the arms 78, and is formed with a vertical portion and with a horizontal portion having a socket 84 to receive the lower vertical projection 92 formed on the treadle 64, serves to provide a lost-motion connection between the treadle and the links 86. The bell crank lever 80 is provided with a pair of stop lugs 94 arranged to engage a corresponding pair of stop lugs 96 formed on the arms 78 of the lever device 74and a coil spring 98 is provided which normally holds the lugs 94 and 96 in engagement with one another and the pin 90 in engagement with the right hand ends (Fig. 8) of the slots 88 in the links 86.

Integral with, or attached to, the plate is a vertical portion 100 to which is secured a ratchet 102, by means of tap screws 104 or in any other suitable manner. The ratchet 102 is formed with a vertical slot 106 and with a series of horizontal ratchet teeth. Co-operating with the ratchet 102 is a pawl 108 formed with a guide portion 110 received in the slot 106 to prevent the pawl from turning. The pawl is mounted in a recess in a plunger 112, being urged torwardly in the recess by a light coil spring 114 as far as permitted by a stop pin 116 carried by the plunger 112 and passing through a slot 118 in the pawl 108. The plunger112 is urged toward the left inFig-s. 8 and 9 to disengage the pawl 108 from the ratchet 102 by a coil spring 120. one end of which engages a shoulder on the plunger 112 and the other end of which engages a part of the lever device 74.as will be apparent from Fig. 8. The plunger is operated against the resistance of the spring 120 to push the pawl against the ratchet by a roll 122 engaging a cam surface on the end of the plunger. This roll is journaled in arms formed on a carrier 124 received in a recess in one end'of the treadle 64 where it is clamped by a setscrew 126 held by a suitable lock nut 128.

In the operation of the improved operating mechanism described above. during the first part of the movement of the treadle 64 when it is depressed by an operator, the lever device 74 and the bell crank lever are held in alinement by the spring 98 and moved as a unit to operate the rod 60 through an effective lever arm equal to the distance between the axis of the shaft 66 and the center of the socket 8-4. When clamp members 34 and 36 engage sole supported by the pattern 26, the spring 98 yields on further depression of thetreadle to take up the lost-motion provided by the slots 88 in the links 86. During this lostmotion, the roll 122 operates on the cam surtace on the end of the plunger 112 to force the pawl 108 into engagement with the stationary ratchet 102. lithe pawl engages the top 01 one of the t eth of the ratchet, the pawl is pushed back against the resist ance of the spring 114 but is held yielding'ly against the ratchet. Further depression of the treadle after this lost-motion has been taken up, against the further resistance of the spring 98, operates through the links 86 to rock the bell crank lever 80 about its pivotal connection with the arms 7 8 to apply pressure to clamping members 34 and 36 through "a comparatively short effective lever arm, which may be regarded either equal to the distance between the axis at 82 and the center of the socket 84, or as equal to the vertical distance between the axis of the shaft 66 and the axis of the pin 90, these distances being illustrated as equal. During the application of pressure by rocking the bell crank lever 80, it will be observed that there is a reaction tending to rock the bell crank lever 80 downwardly about its point of engagement with the rod 60 as a fulcrum, and that this reaction, if not resistted otherwise than through spring 98, would rock the lever device 74 downwardly about the shaft 66 instead of applying pressure to the sole as desired. Such movement oi the lever de ice 74 is prevented by engagement of the pawl 108 with the stationary ratchet 102, since even if the pawl has not engaged squarely against the top of one of the teeth, as soon as it starts to move downwardly the spring 114 operates to cause it to engage the next tooth.

It will be observed that by means of these improved connections the operator is enabled to move the clamp members 34 and 36 rapidly against a sole by a comparatively short movement of the treadle 64 through a relatively long lever arm equal to the dist-ance 66-84, and that thereafter he is able to apply heavy pressure to the sole to clamp it firmly in place by the transmission of further movement of the treadle 64 through the relatively short lever arm 82-84. In the illustrated machine the two lever arms are in the ratio of six to one. In practice I have found that these improved connections permit reducing the maximum movement of the treadle which is at any time necessary from 11%" to 4 and that in 'the ordinary manner of operating the ma chine the reduction is even greater.

Atter a sole has been clamped as above described, it 1S rounded or trimmed to correspond to the contour of the pattern 26 by the rounding means 28 operated by mechanism 80. This means comprises a rounding knife 140 carried by an arm 142.

The knife 140 is mounted in a carrier 144 which is of the usual form and which is secured to the arm 142 in the usual way. This carrier is provided with a surface 146 to support the waste portion of the sole which extends beyond the pattern 26. According to a further feature of my invention I provide a presser foot 148 having a sole engaging portion adjacent to the knife 140 to co-operate with the surface 146 in preventing a relatively soft portion of a sole, such as the heel end of one of the abovedescribed two-piece soles, from buckling or crowding ahead of the knife. This press-er foot is formed with a threaded perforation to receive an adjusting bolt 1530 earned by arm 142 and has a pin 152 sliding in a socket in the arm to prevent the press-er foot from turning.

The operation of the machine will be clear from the foregoing description. it may be noted that a clean cut is insured by co-operation of the improved treadle operated mechanism which applies a very heavy pressure to the sole, the members 84: and 36 which grip a sole independently at its opposite ends, and the presser foot 148 which prevents buckling or crowding oi' the waste part of the sole ahead 01" the knife. While this combination operates efiiciently in rounding two-piece soles of the type illustrated, the invention is not to be regarded as limited to the rounding of such soles or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new and, desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A stock-preparing machine comprising, in combination, a manually operated stools clamping device, an operating member, relatively-movable long and short levers, and connections between the operating member and said levers for operating said device through the long lever for engaging a piece of stock and for thereafter operating it through the short lever to apply pressure to the stock.

2. A stock-preparing machine comprising, in combination, a stock-clamping device, an operating member, a long and a short lever, a holding clutch, and connections from the operating member for operating said device through the long lever for engaging a piece of stock, for then operating the clutch to hold the long lever, and for thereafter operating said device through the short lever to apply pressure to the stock.

8. A stock-preparing machine comprising, in combination, a manually operated stockclamping device, an operating member,

means operated thereby rapidly to operate.

said device to engage a piece of stock, and auxiliary means separately movable by said member after the device has so engaged the stock, for transmitting heavy pressure to said device.

4. A stock-preparing machine comprising, in combination, a stock-clamping device, a controller, a pair of connected relativelymovable members, and connections from the controller to move said members as a unit to operate the clamping device rapidly through a relatively long lever arm and for thereafter moving one of said members relatively to the other to operate the clamping device to apply pressure through a relatively short lever arm.

5. A stock-preparing machinecomprising, in combination, a stock-clamping device, a controller, a pair of connected relativelymovable members, a holding device associated with one of said members, and connections from the controller to move said members as a unit to operate the clamping device rapidly through a relatively long lever arm, for then operating said holding device to hold its associated member, and for finally moving the free member relatively to the member so held to operate the clamping device to apply pressure through a relatively short lever arm.

6. A stock-preparing machine comprising, in combination, a stock-clamping device, a controller, a pair of pivotally-coimected levers, a stationary ratchet, a locking pawl carried by one of said levers, and connections from the controller (1) to move the levers together to operate the clamping device, (2) when a piece of stock is clamped in the device by such movement, to push the pawl against the ratchet to lockthe pawlcarrying lever, and (3) to rock the other lever relatively to the locked lever to apply pressure to the clamping device.

7. A machine as defined by claim 6, having a spring arranged to hold said levers in alinement when they move together, and to yield to permit relative movement thereof when pressure is applied to the clamping device in the defined manner.

8. A connection from the treadle to the sole-clamping means of a sole-rounding ma chine, said connection comprising, in combination, a relatively long leverto operate said means to clamp a sole, a clutch device to hold the lever in clamping position, and an auxiliary short-er lever to apply pressure to the sole-clamping means, said parts being so constructed .and arranged that the treadle operates successively (1) the long lever, (2) the clutch device, and (3) the shorter lever.

9. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, relatively movable sole-clamping devices, means to round a sole clamped thereby, a connection for rapidly moving one of the devices toward the other to engage the sole, aseparately-movable auxiliary connection for applying clamping pressure, the auxiliary connection having a materially greater mechanical advantage than the first connection, and a treadle arranged to operate said connect-ions successively.

10. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, relatively movable sole-clamp ing devices, means to round a sole clamped thereby, and clamping means for operating said devices including a connection for rapidly moving one of the devices toward the other to engage the sole and a separately movable auxiliary connection for applying clamping pressure, the auxiliary connection having a materially greater mechanical advantage than the first connection.

11. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, relatively movable sole-clamping devices, means to round a sole clamped thereby, a treadle, and connections from the treadle for relatively operating the clamping devices, said connections including a relatively long lever to move one of the devices toward the other to engage a sole, means to hold the long lever in the position so attained, and a relatively short lever, operated by the treadle While the long lever is so held, .for the purpose of applying substantial pressure to said devices.

12. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, relatively movable pattern and clamp devices to hold a sole in position for rounding, a treadle, and connections from the treadle to said devices including means rapidly to operate one of said devices to engage a sole placed on the other device, a member to hold said means in the position so attained, and auxiliary means, operable While said means is held by said member, for transmitting heavy pressure from the treadle to said devices.

13. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, relatively movable pattern and clamp devices to hold a sole in. positionfor rounding, a treadle, and connections from the treadle to said devices including a pair of successively-effective relatively-movable levers, the first being relatively long rapidly to move one of the devices toward the other into engagement With the sole, and the sec ond being relatively short to transmit heavy pressure from the treadle tov said devices.

14. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, relatively-movable sole-clamping devices, means to round a sole clamped thereby, a treadle, a pair of pivotally-connected members, and connections from the treadle for rocking said members as a unit to operate one of the clamping devices through a relatively long lever arm until it engages a sole placed on the other device and. for thereafter rocking one of said members relatively to the other to apply heavy pressure through .a relatively short lever arm.

15. A machine as defined by claim 14, having a locking device operated by the .treadleto hold one of said members While the other is rocked relatively thereto in the defined manner.

16. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, relatively-movable soleclamp ing devices, means to round a soleclamped thereby, a treadle, relatively-movable long and short levers, and connections from the.

treadle constructed and arranged so that movement of the treadlo Will operate the long lever until saiddevices engage opposite sides of a sole and Will. thereafter operate the short lever to apply heavy pressure to the sole.

17. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, a sole-clampingdevice, means to round a sole clamped thereby, a treadle, a lever device operated by the treadle, and means for changing the fulcrum point of the effective arm of said lever device when the clamping device engages opposite sides of a sole.

18. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, a sole pattern, separately-movable members to engage opposite ends of a sole on the pattern, and treadle-operated connections including a variable lever constructed and arranged to operate through a lever arm of definite length rapidly to move said members against a sole on the pattern and for thereafter operating through a shorter lever armto apply heavy pressure to the sole through said members.

19. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, a sole pattern, members separately movable transversely With respect to the plane of the pattern to engage opposite ends of a sole on the pattern, an alining device connecting said members, and means to operate said members to clamp the sole against the pattern. I

20. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, a sole pattern, members independently movable toward and from the pattern to engage the forepart and the heelpart of a sole on the pattern, and manuallyoperable means to operate said members to clamp the sole against the pattern.

21. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, a sole pattern, independently yieldable members to engage opposite ends of a sole on the pattern, an equalizer connected to said members, and means to operate the equalizer to clamp the sole against the pattern by means 01": said members.

22. A clamp device for a stock-fitting machine comprising, in combination, a support,separately-movable members to engage opposite ends of a sole on the support, and a flexible connection to maintain said members in alinement.

23. A clamp device for a stock-fitting machlne comprising, in combination, a support, independently yieldable members to engage opposite ends of a sole on the support, and means to apply pressure thereto.

24. A clamp device for a stock-fitting machine comprising, in combination, a sole pattern, a pair of members to engage opposite ends of a sole on the pattern, a spring connecting said members, an equalizer connected to said members, and means to apply pressure to the equalizer to against the pattern. 25; A sole-rounding machine comprising,

clamp the sole in combination, a sole pattern, and a cooperating clamping device, said clamping device being formed of two independently adjustable parts yieldingly joined together and so constructed and arranged that the device may be used with equal facility in clamping either right or left soles.

26. A presser foot for a rounding machine havmg a portion secured to the knifecarrying arm of the machine with provision for adjustment relatively to said arm independently of the rounding knife of the machine, and another portion to engage the top of the edge portion of a sole adjacent the cutting edge of the rounding knife of the machine, to prevent the sole from buckling or crowding ahead of the knife.

27. A presser foot for a rounding machine having means to prevent the presser foot from turning, a portion to engage an adjusting device for vertical adjustment, and a portion located in advance of the knife of the rounding machine and arranged to engage the edge portion of the sole which is tobe trimmed off by the rounding knife to prevent this portion of the sole from crowding or buckling ahead of the knife.

28. A rounding machine comprising, in combination, pattern and stock-clamping means, and rounding mechanism including aknife, a stock-supporting surface, and a presser foot adjacent the knife to co-operate with said surface in holding the stock as it is cut to prevent it from buckling or crowding ahead of the knife.

29. A rounding machine having a relatively movable rounding knife and sole clamp and which has members engaging opposite faces of the edge of the sole adjacent the knife to prevent crowding or buckling ahead of the knife.

30. A rounding device comprising, in combination, a sole pattern, a clamp for holding a sole against the pattern, a movable arm, a rounding knife carried thereby, a support for the edge of the sole which projects be yond the pattern, and a presser foot to cooperate with said support to hold said portion of the soleto prevent it from crowding or buckling ahead of the knife.

31. A rounding device comprising, in combination, a sole pattern, a clamp for holding a sole against the pattern, a movable arm, a rounding knife carried thereby, a support for the edge of the sole which projects beyond the pattern, a presser foot to co-operate with said support to hold said portion of the sole to prevent it from crowding or buckling ahead of the knife, and means for relatively adjusting the presser foot and said support for soles of different thicknesses.

32. Operating mechanism comprising, in combination, a controller, a pivotal mounting therefor, an operating lever, a spring normally compelling the lever to move With the controller but yielding when a substantial resistance is met with, means operated by further movement of the controller after the spring yields to lock said lever, a relativelymovable lever, and a connection from the controller to operate the second lever after the first lever is locked.

33. Operating mechanism comprising, in combination, a controller, a pivotal mounting therefor, an operating lever carried by the same mounting, a spring normally compelling the lever to rock with the controller but yielding when, a substantial resistance is met with, a holding device operated by movement of the controller after the spring yields to hold said lever, a relatively-movable second lever carried by the first lever and moving therewith until it is held by said device, and a connection from the controller to operate the second lever after the first lever is held.

34:. Operating mechanism comprising, in combination, a pivotally mounted controller,

a primary lever, a spring connecting the lever and controller to cause them to move together until a substantial resistance to the movement of the lever isencountered, a stationary ratchet, a pawl carried by said lever and arranged to be pushed against the ratchet by relative movement of the lever and controller against the resistance of the spring, a secondary lever carried by the primar lever and moving therewith until the latter is locked by the pawl and ratchet, and a connection operated by further movement of the controller to rock the secondary lever.

85. Operating mechanism comprising, in combination, a controller, two pivotally-connected members, a holding device, and connections constructed and arranged so that movement of the controller will (1) rock said members as a unit to give a long lever arm, (2) operate said device to hold one of the members, and (3) rock the other of said.

members relatively to the member so held to give a short lever arm.

36. Operating mechanism comprising, in combination, a controller, two pivotally-connected members, and connections constructed and arranged so that movement of the controller will first rock said members as a unit to give a long lever arm and will then rock one of said members relatively to'the other to give a short lever arm.

87. Operating mechanism comprising, in combination, a controller, a pair of relative ly-movable levers, and connectionsbetween the controller, and said levers constructed and arranged so that movement'of the-con troller will operate one lever until a substantial resistance is encountered and will, dependent upon encountering said substantial resistance, thereafter rock the other lever relatively thereto.

38. Operating mechanism comprising, in

combination, a compound lever device ham ing a fixed fulcrum and a movable fulcrum, and means for moving said device as a unit about the fixed fulcrum until substantial resistance to its operation is encountered and thereafter for moving a portion of said device about the movable fulcrum to vary the lever arm.

39. A stock-preparing machine comprising, in combination, a manually operated stock-clamping device, a treadle for operating said clamping device, and connections extending between said treadle and said clamping device, said connections being 50 constructed and arranged that the ratio be- HARRY A. RISING. 

